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The Obama Administration has taken to parroting Arab criticism of routine construction in Jewish neighborhood that lie on the eastern side of Jerusalem.

The US State Department on Tuesday expressed “deep concern” over the Israeli government’s approval of plans to build 942 new apartment units in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo.

“We’re deeply concerned about the announcement of the approval for these units,” said State Department spokesman Mark Toner. “We believe that through good-faith direct negotiations the parties should mutually agree on an outcome that realizes the aspirations of both parties.”

Gilo is a neighborhood of tens of thousands of residents. Nearly every Israeli agrees that such neighborhoods will not be emptied of their Jewish residents and handed over to the Palestinians. The Palestinians insist that is precisely what must happen if a final status peace deal is to be signed.

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